Engraver having universal cylinder mount

Abstract

A universal cylinder mount for mounting at least one a plurality of cylinders between a headstock and a tailstock of an engraver. Each of the cylinders has a mounting aperture at each end adapted to receive a universal cylinder mount associated with each of the headstock and tailstock. The universal cylinder mount is adapted to accommodate a plurality of mounting apertures formed with different sized and having various sloped walls for facilitating alignment and frictional gripping engagement of the cylinders. The universal cylinder mount comprises at least one helically-shaped spiral or engaging edge to facilitate reducing or completely eliminating the seizing action between the cylinder aperture and the universal cylinder mount of the cylinder when the mounts are rotated in a non-engraving direction or are moved away from the mounting surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A universal cylinder mount for mounting on an engraver for supporting an end of a cylinder mounted on the engraver, comprising: a support rotatably mounted on the engraver, said support having a base end, a nose end and an axis of rotation;   engagement means situated on said support for engaging a mounting aperture in said end of said cylinder to be engraved; and   wherein said engagement means defines an engagement angle which gradually increases from said nose end to said base end about said axis of rotation.   
     
     
       2. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said support comprises a circumference which decreases in a direction from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       3. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein the engagement means comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       4. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said engagement means comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       5. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said engagement means comprises a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       6. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 2, wherein said engagement means comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       7. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 5, wherein said engagement means comprises a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one of said plurality of lands defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       8. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 5, wherein each if said plurality of lands defines a path which is helical. 
     
     
       9. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said engagement means defines a conical helix. 
     
     
       10. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said engagement means comprises at least one land defining a conical helix. 
     
     
       11. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one land extends continuously between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       12. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, where said engagement means lockingly engages said end of said cylinder when said support is rotatably driven in a first direction and unlocks when said cylinder mount is moved away from said cylinder. 
     
     
       13. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein support is tapered from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       14. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said support is convex from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       15. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 10, wherein said conical helix comprises a plurality of angles which increase from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       16. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 10, wherein said conical helix comprises a plurality of angles, said plurality of land angles increasing from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       17. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one land comprises an engaging edge comprising a cross-sectional shape defining an engaging angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees. 
     
     
       18. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 17, wherein said engaging angle is acute. 
     
     
       19. The universal cylinder mount as recited in claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of lead angles comprises an associated land comprising an engaging edge of cross-sectional shape defining an engaging angle of greater than or equal to 90°. 
     
     
       20. A universal cylinder mount for supporting an end of a cylinder mounted on an engraver comprising; a support having a base end, a nose end and an axis of rotation; engagement means situated on said base for engaging a mounting aperture in said end of said cylinder to be engraved; and   wherein said engagement means is not parallel with said axis of rotation;   wherein the engagement means comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end;   wherein the shape of said at least one land is defined by a helix having a plurality of land angles, each of said plurality of land angles being defined by the equation:   X=0.10Y.sup.3 -0.4405Y.sup.2 +3.154Y-0.8857,     where Y is a position on an axis and X is a position normal to an axis of the cylinder mount.     
     
     
       21. A universal cylinder support system for use on an engraver to mount one of a plurality of cylinders at an engraving station of said engraver having a headstock and a tailstock, each of said plurality of cylinders comprising a frustoconical mounting surface at each end thereof; said universal cylinder support system comprising: a first support rotatably supported on said headstock of said engraver;   a second support rotatable supported on said tailstock of said engraver; and   a frictional engagement surface located on each of said first and second supports for lockingly engaging said frustoconical mounting surfaces when said first and second supports are rotated in a first direction and unlocking when said first and second supports are moved away from said cylinder; said frictional engagement surface defining an engagement angle which increases from a nose end of said first and second supports to a base end of said first and second supports.   
     
     
       22. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of said first and second said supports having a base end, a nose end and an axis of rotation, said frictional engagement surface being non-parallel with said axis of rotation. 
     
     
       23. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of said first and second supports comprises a base end, a nose end and a circumference which decreases in a direction from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       24. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of said frictional engagement surfaces comprising at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       25. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein said frictional engagement surface comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       26. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21 wherein said frictional engagement surface comprises a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       27. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein said frictional engagement surface comprising a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end said at least one of said plurality of lands defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       28. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 27, wherein each of said plurality of lands defines a path which is helical. 
     
     
       29. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein said frictional engagement surface defining a conical helix. 
     
     
       30. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein said frictional engagement surface comprising at least one land defining a conical helix. 
     
     
       31. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 24, wherein said at least one land extends continuously between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       32. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein said frictional engagement surface lockingly engages said end of said cylinder when said support is rotatably driven in a first direction and unlockingly when said support is moved away from said cylinder. 
     
     
       33. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21, wherein each of said first and second supports is tapered from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       34. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 21 wherein each of said first and second supports is concave from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       35. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 30, wherein said conical helix comprises a plurality of angles which increase from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       36. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 30, wherein said conical helix comprises a plurality of lead angles, said plurality of lead angles increasing from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       37. The universal cylinder support system as recited in claim 30, wherein said at least one land comprising an engaging edge comprising a cross-sectional shape defining an engaging angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees. 
     
     
       38. A universal cylinder support system for use on an engraver to mount one of a plurality of cylinders at en engraving station of said engraver having a headstock and a tailstock, each of said plurality of cylinders comprising a frustoconical mounting surface at each end thereof; said universal cylinder support system comprising: a first support rotatably supported on said headstock;   a second support rotatable supported on said tailstock;   a frictional engagement surface located on each of said first and second supports for lockingly engaging said frustoconical mounting surfaces when said first and second supports are rotated in a first direction and unlocking when said first and second supports are moved away from said cylinder;   wherein each of said frictional engagement surfaces comprising at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end; and   wherein the shape of said at least one land is defined by a helix having a plurality of land angles, each of said plurality of land angles being defined by the equation:   X=0.10Y.sup.3 -0.4405Y.sup.2 +3.154Y-0.8857,     where Y is a position on axis 36 and X is a position normal to an axis of the cylinder mount.     
     
     
       39. An engraver comprising: a headstock;   a tailstock for cooperating with said headstock to rotatably support one of a plurality of cylinders at an engraving station of an engraver, each of said plurality of cylinders comprises a first end and a second end;   an engraving device for engraving said one of said plurality of cylinders;   an universal cylinder support system associated with at least one of said headstock or tailstock, said universal cylinder support system comprising:   a support having a base end, a nose end and an axis of rotation;   an engagement surface situated on said base end for engaging a mounting aperture in said end of said cylinder to be engraved; and   wherein said engagement surface is not parallel with said axis of rotation and defines an engagement angle which decreases from said base end to said nose end.   
     
     
       40. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said support comprises a circumference which decreases in a direction from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       41. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein the engagement surface comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       42. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said engagement surface comprises at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       43. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said engagement surface comprises a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       44. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said engagement surface comprises a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one of said plurality of lands defining a path which is helical. 
     
     
       45. The engraver as recited in claim 44, wherein each if said plurality of lands defines a path which is helical. 
     
     
       46. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said engagement surface defines a conical helix. 
     
     
       47. The engraver as recited in claim 46, wherein an angle of engagement of said conical helix increases from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       48. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said engagement surface comprises at least one land defining a conical helix. 
     
     
       49. The engraver as recited in claim 48, wherein said at least one land extends continuously between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       50. The engraver as recited in claim 48 wherein said conical helix comprises a plurality of angles which increase from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       51. The engraver as recited in claim 48, wherein said conical helix comprises a plurality of angles, said plurality of land angles increasing from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       52. The engraver as recited in claim 48, wherein said at least one land comprises an engaging edge comprising a cross-sectional shape defining an engaging angle greater than or equal to 90 degrees. 
     
     
       53. The engraver as recited in claim 52, wherein said engaging angle is acute. 
     
     
       54. The engraver as recited in claim 39 wherein said support is convex from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       55. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said engagement surface lockingly engages said end of said cylinder when said support is rotatably driven in a first direction and unlocking when said support is moved away from said cylinder. 
     
     
       56. The engraver as recited in claim 39, wherein said support is tapered from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       57. An engraver comprising: a headstock;   a tailstock for cooperating with said headstock to rotatably support one of a plurality of cylinders at an engraving station of an engraver, each of said plurality of cylinders comprises a first end and a second end;   an engraving device for engraving said one of said plurality of cylinders;   an universal cylinder support system associated with at least one of said headstock or tailstock, said universal cylinder support system comprising:   a support having a base end, a nose end and an axis of rotation;   an engagement surface situated on said base for engaging a mounting aperture in said end of said cylinder to be engraved; and   wherein said engagement surface is not parallel with said axis of rotation;   wherein said engagement surface comprises at least one land defining a conical helix;   the shape of said at least one land is defined by a helix having a plurality of land angles, each of said plurality of land angles being defined by the equation:   X=0.10Y.sup.3 -0.4405Y.sup.2 +3.154Y-0.8857,     where Y is a position on axis 36 and X is a position normal to an axis of the cylinder mount.     
     
     
       58. A method of supporting one of a plurality of cylinders at an engraving station of an engraver comprising a headstock and a tailstock, said method comprising the steps of: providing at least one universal support comprising a support having a base end, a nose end, an axis of rotation and an engagement surface situated on said support for engaging a mounting aperture in said end of said one of said plurality of cylinders to be engraved, wherein said engagement surface is not parallel with an axis of rotation of said one of said plurality of cylinders and defines an engagement angle which increases from said nose end to said base end;   situating said at least one universal support on at least one of said headstock or said tailstock;   moving said at least one universal support into said mounting aperture and into engagement with said end of said one of said plurality of cylinders;   driving said at least one universal support in a first direction to secure said cylinder onto said at least one support; and moving said at least one universal support out of said mounting aperture to dismount said cylinder from said cylinder from said at least one universal support.   
     
     
       59. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein said method further comprises the step of: defining said engagement surface to comprise at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end.   
     
     
       60. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein said method further comprises the step of: defining said engagement surface to comprise at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical.   
     
     
       61. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein said method further comprises the step of: defining said engagement surface to comprise a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end.   
     
     
       62. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein said method further comprises the step of: defining said engagement surface to comprise at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical.   
     
     
       63. The method as recited in claim 62, wherein said at least one land defines a conical helix. 
     
     
       64. The method as recited in claim 62, wherein said at least one land comprises a plurality of angles of engagement which increases from said nose end to said base end. 
     
     
       65. The method as recited in claim 62, wherein said at least one land extends continuously between said base end and said nose end. 
     
     
       66. The method as recited in claim 62, wherein said method further comprises the step of: providing said at least one universal support defining at least one land comprising an engaging edge comprising a cross-sectional shape defining a plurality of engaging angles which increase from said nose end to said base end.   
     
     
       67. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein said engaging angle is acute. 
     
     
       68. The method as recited in claim 61, wherein said method further comprises the step of: defining said engagement surface to comprise a plurality of lands situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one of said plurality of lands defining path which is helical.   
     
     
       69. The method is recited in claim 68, wherein each of said plurality of lands defines a path which is helical. 
     
     
       70. The method as recited in claim 58, where in said at least one universal support is tapered from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       71. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein said at least one universal support is concave from said base end to said nose end. 
     
     
       72. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein said method further comprising the step of: defining a conical helix comprising a plurality of leads which increases from said nose end to said base end.   
     
     
       73. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein said method further comprises the step of: defining a conical helix comprising a plurality of lands comprising an associated plurality of land angles which increase from said nose end to said base end.   
     
     
       74. A method of supporting one of a plurality of cylinders at an engraving station of an engraver comprising a headstock and a tailstock, said method comprising the steps of: situating at least one universal support for engraving and rotatably supporting an end of said one of said plurality of cylinders on at least one of said headstock or said tailstock, said at least one universal support comprising a support having a base end, a nose end, an axis of rotation and an engagement surface situated on said support for engaging a mounting aperture in said end of said one of said plurality of cylinders to be engraved, wherein said engagement surface is not parallel with an axis of rotation of said one of said plurality of cylinders;   moving said at least one universal support into said mounting aperture and into engagement with said end of said one of said plurality of cylinders;   driving said at least one universal support in a first direction to secure said cylinder onto said at least one support; and moving said at least one universal support out of said mounting aperture to dismount said cylinder from said at least one universal support;   wherein said method further comprises the step of:   defining said engagement surface to comprise at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end;   wherein said method further comprises the step of:   defining said engagement surface to comprise at least one land situated between said base end and said nose end, said at least one land defining a path which is helical; and   wherein said at least one land comprises a shape defined by a helix having a plurality of land angles, each of said plurality of land angles being defined by the equation:   X=0.10Y.sup.3 -0.4405Y.sup.2 +3.154Y-0.8857,     where Y is a position on axis 36 and X is a position normal to an axis of the cylinder mount.